HERMES: Sweeney; Nash; Strachan; McKenzie; L Smith; Scoular; McRae; K Wilson; Dawson; Stevenson; Alexander: Subs: Close; Macklin; Courage; M Smith; Brown:

BROUGHTY ATHLETIC: Ross; McCunnie; Blair; Suttie; McLellan; Winters; Roy; Lawson; Lannen; Buchan; McCord: Subs: McConnachie; Myles; Sinclair; Cavanagh; Collier:

Referree: S Traynor, Assistants: D Coleman & C Ogierman

Hermes failed to get out of the blocks quickly and were immediately punished by the home side. With the midfield slow in clearing the ball, it was transferred back into the box and McCORD powered home a drive with only 3 minutes gone. Hermes’ fortunes were given another reversal; when, in the 13th minute, Lee Smith had to be taken off after sustaining a leg injury. Mike Smith replaced him and, in the reshuffle, Alexander went to full back. Despite dropping back Alexander burst forward and beat the keeper with a great low shot only to see it strike the post and go clear.

Hermes were now beginning to get into the game and M Smith got the ball on target but the tight defending prevented him from getting any power in the shot. The Bridge of Don side continued to press and Stevenson was close to getting on the end of a Dawson cross. Although Hermes were having a lot of the ball the home side were looking very dangerous on the break and it was from one of these breaks that a Suttie drive was deflected onto and over the bar. With the resulting corner not being cleared effectively LAWSON found space to power the home side into a 2 goal lead.

Hermes were now battling hard to gain and retain possession and created a number of good chances – the best of which was when Mike Smith headed a right wing cross back into the middle to be met by Dawson only for ‘keeper Ross to save well. The visitors were having their best spell now but were continuing to find the home defence difficult to break down. Broughty, prompted by former Don Jamie Winters, showed that they were capable of breaking forward at pace stretching the north side’s defence to breaking point.

HALF TIME: Broughty Athletic 2 – 0 Hermes

Hermes had made a shocking start but for the second part of the first half had put the home side under pressure. Having failed to score, greater risks were going to have to be taken and this might play into the hands of the pacy Dundee forwards.

A one-two between McRae and Stevenson created an opportunity which could not be converted. Again, this proved costly as the Broughty forwards swept forward and ROY was on the spot to tap the ball into the net. Scoular was on the receiving end of a bad challenge and appeared to make some comment to the referee, who immediately showed him a red card. Three nil and a man down Hermes fortunes looked bleak.

However, a Hermes’ forward was brought down in the box by Blair who was ordered off. McRAE stepped up and made his usual immaculate job with the spot kick. Manager Dawson made a change at this point and the tiring Wilson was replace by Macklin. With 62 minutes played Hermes experienced another example of ‘Deja Vu’ when BUCHAN was allowed to run 60 yards, after another Hermes’ attack had broken down, and slot the ball past Sweeney. The visitors were still trying to get forward and McRae from a free kick and M Smith brought out saves from Ross. Sweeney saved well when an Athletic player sprung the offside trap but the 5th goal was only delayed until the 84th minute when BUCHAN got his second

FULL-TIME: Broughty Athletic 5 – 1 Hermes

Hermes put a lot of effort into this game but found the pace and talent of the home side too much. While there was no doubt as to who were the better team a 4 goal margin was flattering to them.